Bible Minute

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 17, 2011
Topic: Sin/Temptation
Patterns of Temptation

Two Korean soldiers were joking and laughing as they walked along a path to join their unit. The war had been over for months, so there seemed to be no danger to worry about. One of the men suddenly spotted something shiny in the ditch beside the path. Stepping aside, he reached down to retrieve the object. There was a deafening explosion as a land mine went off and when the dust settled, the soldier lay dead and his companion had both legs blown off. A sign they had just walked by read, "Danger, Stay on Path."

God's Word puts up some danger signs to warn you about temptation as you walk on your daily spiritual journey.

What Does God Say?

James 1:12-15 (ESV)
"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."

How does this happen? Let's look at some people who were tempted to do wrong and ended up in a tangle of sin and shame.

Read Genesis 3:1-10 and re-read verses 6 and 7.

* What did Eve see?
* What did she desire?
* What did she do?
* Why did Adam and Eve hide? (3:10)
* What happened as a result of their sin? (see Genesis 3:22-24)

When Joshua led the people of Israel into the Promised Land, the first city they conquered was Jericho. God told the people that they were to keep none of the captured goods for themselves, but a man named Achan disobeyed and was later caught with the stolen things. Look up Achan's confession in Joshua 7:20-22.

* What did Achan see?
* What was his temptation about what he saw?
* What did he do to satisfy his desires?
* What happened because of his sin? (see Joshua 7:24-26)

My Thoughts

Do you see the pattern of temptation? They saw something...they desired it...they took it for themselves...they hid the results as well as they could from God and man, but they were caught and had to face the consequences.

The same thing happened to David in his adultery with Bathsheba. He saw her; he desired her; he took her. Then David tried every way he could think of to hide the sin, but he suffered tragic consequences for the rest of his life (see 2 Samuel 11 and 12).

Do you wonder what resources God has given us to ward off the temptations Satan brings our way? Here is some help. Look up the Bible answers to these questions:

* What does Jesus say about how we should regularly pray against Satan's temptations? (Matthew 6:13 and Matthew 26:41).
* If you are tempted, is there any way out before you fall into sin? (1Corinthians 10:13).

My Part

First Corinthians 10:13 says that temptation is a common experience for all people.

Someone once said of temptation, "You can't keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from nesting in your hair!"

Take some time right now to consider whether there are some weak spots in your life--an old habit, a wrong pattern of activity or a desire for something that requires disobedience to God in order to get. If you identify a weakness, ask the Lord now to give you strength and to deliver you from the temptations of the evil one.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 18, 2011
Topic: Forgiveness/Unforgiveness
Mercy

When the lady saw her portrait, she complained to the artist, "That picture doesn't do me justice."

He replied, "You don't want justice; you want mercy."

So it is when we realize how sinful we are. We don't want justice; we need God's mercy. When the psalmist talks about the wonderful blessings of a personal relationship with God, mercy is high on his list.

What Does God Say?

"Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle" (Psalm 103:1-5, NASB).

What is first on the psalmist's list? Forgiveness. Total and complete forgiveness for all his sins. Jesus made that possible. By His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus opened the way for God to forgive our sins, and He rescued us from having to pay the awful penalty that was justly ours. That is mercy in the most profound way: God, extending His mercy to us, does not give us what we deserve.

My Thoughts

"The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:8-12 NKJV).

He removes our sin as far as the east is from the west. Why did the Bible not say as far as the north is from the south? Because at the North Pole and the South Pole, north and south meet. If you go south one step past the North Pole, you are now going south. But if you start going east, you can travel forever and never go west! How far then does God promise to remove our sins? That's mercy!

My Part

If there is anything in your life that you need to confess and ask God to forgive, why not do it now?

If there are sins in your life that you have already confessed but have been uncertain of God's forgiveness, then right now thank the Lord for complete and total forgiveness and trust in His mercy.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 21, 2011
Topic: Service/Servanthood, Christian Living/Situational
Serve with Gladness

So, you get a phone call from someone at church asking you to help in an area of need. What's your response? An immediate "No, can't be bothered"; a "Yes, I suppose," (but you'll grumble about it for a week) or a "Yes, absolutely, happy to serve!" Honestly, you know which attitude you should have, but it's not always the one that surfaces. Can you build a better attitude toward serving God?

What Does God Say?

Psalm 100:1-2 drops the right attitude into the middle of a call to worship.

"Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!" (ESV)

"Serve with gladness" means having a genuine eagerness to be of use to God, taking pleasure in doing His work, no matter what it is. It's not really about the job but about the Person you're doing it for. And, as Psalm 100 states, it's part of your act of worship.

Glad service is often motivated by love. In Genesis 29:14-19 we read about Jacob who willingly served or worked for 14 years because he loved Rachel and wanted to marry her. That love made the time fly. When our service is motivated by love for God, it makes the job a joy.

In Deuteronomy 10:12, service follows love. "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul" (ESV). And it's a whole-hearted experience. Serve gladly and give it all you've got!.

My Thoughts

So, maybe you're wondering "Why? Why serve? Why serve gladly?" Well, first, it's God's instruction for you (for example, Deuteronomy 10:12, Romans 12:11). But there are other reasons too. Read all of Psalm 100.

* Psalm 100:1-2 and 4 give you instructions. Jot those down.
* Psalm 100:3 and 5 answers why you serve? What reasons do you find?
* What's your current motivation for serving?
* What needs to change if you want to "serve with gladness" today?

My Part

So, how do you do it? While He's ever-present and He lives in us through the Holy Spirit, it's not always easy to know how to actually do something for Him. Don't worry, He's got that covered: You serve God by serving others. Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ" (NLT). Check out Ephesians 6:6-8 too.

So, where do you start? Maybe it's time to call that friend at church back and turn your "no" into a "yes"? Or spend time praying that your heart will be happy to serve, and give up grumbling? Keep track of the opportunities you're given, and apply an attitude of cheerfulness. See what a difference it can make in your service.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 22, 2011
Topic: Jesus, Christian Living/Situational
Sufficiency

"Lord Jesus, I thank You for saving me, for forgiving all my sins, for making me a part of God's family and giving me a home in heaven. I know You are busy saving others, so I'll take it from here and do all I can for You."

Good prayer, right? Well, the first part is great--but the last part is not so great. Check out what Jesus told us.

What Does God Say?

"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5, NLT).

1. Christ compares Himself to the vine and us to the branches. What happens to branches that are not attached to the vine?
2. What does this verse mean when it refers to "fruit"?
3. What can you do apart from Christ?

Salvation--the beginning (justification or getting saved), the middle (sanctification or living for Jesus) and the end (glorification or being in heaven and being like Jesus) all depends on Jesus: who He is, what He did for me on the cross, what He wants to do in my life now and what He will do for me in eternity.

My Thoughts

In light of what Jesus told us, read this verse and write out your understanding of sufficiency for a Christ-follower.

"Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God" (2 Corinthians 3:5, ESV).

Read it again in this translation: "We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God" (2 Corinthians 3:4-5, NLT).

Now, explain sufficiency for a believer.

My Part

How do you live for the Lord, so He will be the enabler in your life? Perhaps the apostle Paul can help us.

"So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

"We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light" (Colossians 1:9-12, NLT).

Take time to pray this prayer for yourself. Then thank God that because Jesus is in your life, His sufficiency enables you to live in a way that pleases and honors Him and bears much fruit.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 23, 2011
Topic: God, Faith/Trust
Sufficient for Everything

The story is told of a poverty-stricken lady who had never seen the ocean. After years of scrimping and doing without, she finally saved enough money to take a vacation by the seaside. As she stood on the beach watching the mighty waves roll in, she was overheard to say, "Well, what d'ya know, I've finally seen something there's enough of."

You and I, however, don't need a trip to the beach to see something that there is "enough of"; we only need to look at to our God. Let's see what His Word has to say about that.

What Does God Say?

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:7-10, ESV).

* Why was Paul given a "thorn in the flesh"?
* What was the solution to Paul's situation?
* What was Paul's response to God's solution?
* How can we be weak and strong at the same time as Paul claims?

My Thoughts

Paul's situation is a classic "good news/bad news" scenario. The good news is that God is sufficient for any situation. The bad news is that we have to go through difficult times to experience it. While most of us would prefer to avoid trials and tribulations, God's Word teaches us this is the only way we can prove God's sufficiency.

When we walk in the assurance that God is sufficient for every situation, we project a confidence that only Christians can have. The confidence is not that we will avoid hardships, but that God is able to see us through these difficulties--not simply to survive but to actually thrive.

My Part

This evening, light a candle and then turn off the lights. As you sit basking in the glow of the candlelight, think about these questions:

* When does the candle shine the brightest?
* What does this tell you about God's sufficiency?
* How does this apply to your life?

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 24, 2011
Topic: Service/Servanthood
Who Is Sufficient?

With the world's economy like it is, you're probably hearing the word insufficient pretty often these days. Those long lines to government offices aren't made up of people who are complaining about having all they need. The government can't print money fast enough to answer the pleas of the victims of insufficiency.

Sufficient is a truly biblical word. You can find it in several places. It carries the idea of "having enough" to do a job or an "ample amount" to meet your needs. It refers to "being able" or "having adequate resources or competence" to do what needs to be done.

You may think of money when you think of sufficiency or insufficiency, but let's look at what the Bible teaches about it because the Christian's sufficiency goes far beyond his or her material possessions.

What Does God Say?

The apostle Paul wrote about the effectiveness of his ministry, saying, "Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God" (2 Corinthians 3:5, ESV).

God calls upon all His people to serve Him. The first thought many Christians have about service is that they are insufficient or incompetent to carry out such a holy and weighty task. Humanly speaking, they are right, but that is why God steps in and provides the competency or ability to do any task He calls them to do.

Basically, He enables you to serve by two different means: First, He gifts you to serve; second, He uses other gifted people to impart their skills to you. Let's look at a helpful example in the Old Testament and answer a few questions.

In Exodus, God gave the responsibility to design and craft the parts of the tabernacle, which was to be His temporary dwelling place on earth, to two men. One was named Bezalel and the other, Oholiab. Read Exodus 31:1-6 and Exodus 35:30-35.

In Exodus 31:1-6:

* Who ordered the building of the Tabernacle and its furnishings?
* Who appointed the people to do the task?
* Who provided the ability to get the job done?

Any similarity between the answers to these questions is not a coincidence. What does this tell you about serving God?

In Exodus 35:30-35:

* Besides providing wisdom and skills to Bezalel and Oholiab, what other ability did God give to them (v. 34)?

Finally, read Exodus 36:5-7 to see what else happened in the hearts of all the people.

* Was the provision of God sufficient (v. 7)?

My Thoughts

You serve the same God as Bezalel, Oholiab and their coworkers did. When you look at the overwhelming tasks God gives you to meet the needs of others, you may sometimes feel what Paul expressed in 2 Corinthians 2:16 (ESV)--"Who is sufficient for these things?"

The Lord's way of making disciples follows the model you see in Bezalel and Oholiab. He enables a believer; then that person teaches and strengthens another. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." The word, "able" is the translation of the Greek word meaning "sufficient."

* Where did Timothy's strength ultimately come from?
* Who had passed his competence on to Timothy?
* What was Timothy to do with his skills?

My Part

One of the pieces of furniture that Bezalel crafted for the tabernacle still remained intact almost 500 years later when Solomon became king of Israel(see 2 Chronicles 1:5).

Service that you do in the power of the Lord's sufficiency, however, lasts eternally and can be like gold, silver and precious gems (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Where do you get the gold and silver to build with? It's not earthly money, but the "works" God provides for you to do in the ministry He gives you (Ephesians 2:10).

Do you need more? Paul didn't.

* Memorize what he said in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 25, 2011
Topic: Jesus
Hope in God's Word

Think back to last Christmas. Was it a really special time for you? For many, it's a cherished, exciting, hopeful season. But not everyone is delighted at the thought of Christmas. For some, the holidays are a difficult struggle, emotionally and financially.

They need help and hope. The Bible teaches us that is exactly why Jesus came.

What Does God Say?

"The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

"'The Spirit of the LORD is upon me,
for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
That the blind will see,
That the oppressed will be set free,
And that the time of the LORD'S favor has come"
(Luke 4:17-19, NLT).

What was Jesus telling us about God's purpose for sending His Son?
To which people would this news be most wonderful?

For some, Christmas 2010 was not easy--maybe because of a loss; maybe because of bad memories; maybe because of the economic downturn; maybe because they've never really grasped the importance of Christmas in the first place.

Christmas is all about the birth of a Savior. And it's that Savior who brings hope. And when you know Him as your Savior, you can experience hope and peace and joy. There's no better time than today to put your faith in Jesus and change your future forever.

"Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life" (Titus 3:7, NLT). In Jesus there is not just hope, there is hope that we will live forever with Him.

My Thoughts

Aren't you glad that there is a Christmas story? And that God in His love and mercy saw fit to give His Son to die for your sins? What a sad and hopeless world this would be without God and Jesus, Christmas and Easter and the anticipation of heaven.

But God made known to us through His Word and His Son how He has chosen to bless us, be with us and take care of us. The Bible is the most hopeful book in all of creation and time because, in it, we find Jesus and the good news of hope and life which He came to bring. It is ours not only for Christmas but for each day of the year.

My Part

Take some time, go to God's Word and read again the Christmas story--in both Matthew and Luke. Then keep reading until you get to the cross and the empty tomb story. You will find Jesus who loves you and the hope He brings to your life. Starting now you will have new life--and you can look forward to Christmas 2011 as a time to experience the hope and joy your Savior gives you.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Feb 28, 2011
Topic: Bible Study/Theories
Learning to Listen

Connecting with God is like connecting with a friend or a family member. It's a two-sided conversation. You call, email and talk to friends; but you also listen, pay attention and try to understand them. We need to make sure that we do those things in our relationship with God. Not only do we talk to Him (prayer), but we listen, pay attention when He speaks and try to get to know Him and understand Him by reading His Word.

What Does God Say?

Throughout the Old Testament, you see God speaking to His people as individuals as He gives the Law, as He uses the prophets and the psalmists to reveal His heart and will to them. "'You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand'" (Deuteronomy 11:18, ESV). What God wants you to hear is right in front of you in the Bible. That's essential as Deuteronomy 30:19-20 says, "'Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days'" (ESV).

In the New Testament, we discover that Jesus is the Word of God. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father" (John 1:14, ESV). And Jesus' words come from God, as He explains in John 14:10, "'The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works'" (ESV).

And we have help: the Holy Spirit teaches us through the Word of God. "'But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you'" (John 14:26, ESV). Plus, the Holy Spirit can bring to God all the things we have trouble saying. Romans 8:26-27 tells us, "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God" (ESV).

My Thoughts

Hearing from God takes the discipline of quiet, waiting and meditating, not the kind of meditating where you empty your mind or make a buzzing sound; but where you focus attention on God, His presence and His Word. Psalm 1:1-2 gives this picture:

"Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night" (ESV).

Read sections of Psalm 119:1-16; 41-48; 89-104; 129-136.

* What are some of the descriptions of God's Word (or law)?
* Why should you pay attention to them?
* What does God do for His people through His Word?
* Does the writer reflect how you listen for God? What's the same? What's different?

My Part

The next time you go to God (prayer), don't do all the talking but try to listen instead. Borrow Samuel's prayer from 1 Samuel 3:10: "And Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant hears'" (ESV). Be silent, but focus on God. Keep your Bible handy so when the Holy Spirit prompts you, you're ready. And once you've heard, you're to follow and obey. Jesus said, "'My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me'" (John 10:27, ESV).

Daily Bible Study

Date: Mar 1, 2011
Topic: Holy Spirit, Obedience/Discipleship, Salvation
Your Best Source

Did you know that you have all the help you need to live the Christian life? When you put your faith and trust in Christ, when you are in an intimate relationship with Him, you have the Holy Spirit as your ally--a limitless resource for living.

What Does God Say?

First John 3:24 tells us, "Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us" (ESV). The Holy Spirit is not just present in your life like a shadow looking over your shoulder, He is your power source for every need and your ally for every battle.

Paul addresses the power issue in his prayer in Ephesians 3:16, "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being" (ESV). The Holy Spirit powers you up; He gives you strength. You don't have to do it on your own.

The Spirit helps us in other ways too. Look at Romans 8:26-27, "The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will" (NLT). He helps us pray, and He intercedes for us even when we don't know what to pray.

In John 14:26, the Spirit is our teacher: "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you" (ESV). And He gives us the words to speak up for God, "For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say" (Luke 12:12, ESV).

My Thoughts

Jesus introduces the coming of the Holy Spirit to His disciples in John 15:26, "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me" (ESV)

* How does He describe the Holy Spirit?
* What is the mission of the Spirit?
* Where does He come from or get His authority from?

Later in John 16, Jesus explains more about the ministry of the Holy Spirit or the Helper. Take a look at John 16:7-15, with these questions in mind:

* What will the Helper come to do to the world?
* What is the advantage of having this Helper?
* How will the Helper assist those who belong to Christ?
* What is the relationship between the Helper and the Father?

If you have time, read through John 14-17 to see what else Jesus says about the Holy Spirit and what He does for you.

My Part

For most of us, the Holy Spirit is the forgotten factor for living the Christian life. Where do you most need His help? Are you trying to "do it all" in your own strength or have you learned to tap into His power? Do you struggle to know how and what to pray about? Are you looking for comfort in things or other people instead of leaning on the Spirit? When you open your Bible, do you ask for His help and guidance to make it understandable and to live out what you learn?

These are the areas where the Holy Spirit proves to be our best ally. Take a few moments today to evaluate your life and to seek His assistance as you abide in Christ.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Mar 2, 2011
Topic: Christian Living/Situational
Make Peace

We love to talk about the vague goal of "world peace." It's a running line for beauty queens, politicians and those lost in a haze of idealism. But while "world peace" may sound impossible, you can bring more peace to your world. How? Follow God's example and practice patience (longsuffering).

What Does God Say?

Patience (or longsuffering) is critical to creating peace in our relationships and circumstances. In Ephesians 4:1-3, Paul links the two. "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (ESV).

Another translation puts it like this: "Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace" (Ephesians 4:2-3, NLT).

Being patient with the faults and differences of others makes it possible to build unity and create peace in our relationships. How? When you exercise patience, you defer your anger. You have time to think and to be pro-active, time to in find a solution instead of being reactive and unproductive.

Colossians 3:12-15 tells us, "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful" (ESV).

My Thoughts

Go back over Colossians 3:12-15.

* List the things we're to "put on" and describe how you demonstrate each one.
* Why do they fit together?
* How might each quality impact a relationship and bring about peace?

Romans 12:15-18 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11-14 also offer ways patience can bring peace in your relationships.

* What's the end goal we're trying to reach?

My Part

Let's be honest, our lack of patience comes from two areas.

1. Selfishness--I focus on my wants, my wishes, my way; and when other people don't fall into that agenda, I'm upset.
2. A demand for immediacy--not just what I want but when I want it.

* Which of these is usually the source of your impatience?
* What fall-out have you experienced because of this?
* What can you change about that today?

Think of a relationship or situation where a little patience on your part could have produced peace. What happened? If you exercised patience, what would have changed? What solutions might you have found? What's keeping you from making it right?

Patience (or longsuffering) is not something we can manufacture on our own. It comes as we let the Holy Spirit guide, influence and intervene in our lives. As you consider patience and peace, ask the Holy Spirit to do His work in your life. Committing Ephesians 4:1-3 or Colossians 3:12-15 to memory can be a great way to be ready for the next time you need patience and peace.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Mar 3, 2011
Topic: Faith/Trust
More Than a Virtue

The third chapter of Ecclesiastes starts with these familiar words: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1, ESV). Sounds great, doesn't it? But if you're like most people, you'd rather be doing something than waiting for something to happen.

Many people will tell you to take life by the horns. "Stop waiting and make something happen." It sounds like good advice, but is it really?

What Does God Say?

David was a man who faced that choice. In the Bible, we read about how David was pursued by Saul the King of Israel. One day, David and his followers hid in a cave to avoid Saul's passing army. Saul, not knowing that David was there, also went into the cave. "Now's your opportunity," David's men whispered to him. "Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, 'Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you'" (1 Samuel 24:4, ESV). In other words, "Kill him and take the throne!"

David could've solved two problems if he'd taken their advice. First, David could have ended Saul's murderous pursuit of him; and second, David would be free to become king as God had promised. So, David made up his mind. Creeping forward in the dark cave, David took out his sword and cut off a corner of Saul's robe.

David told his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD's anointed" (1 Samuel 24:6, ESV).

David recognized that when God was ready to remove Saul from the throne and elevate David, God would do just that. We'll think about how to apply this kind of patient trust in God's plan to our lives in the next section.

My Thoughts

As you read through 1 Samuel 24:1-7, think about the following questions:

* How would David's life have changed for the better if he had killed Saul? For the worse?
* If you were in David's position, what would you have done? Why?
* Are you frustrated with where you are today? How does this passage affect your outlook?

My Part

Patience is more than a virtue; it shows our faith and trust in God. David truly believed in God's promises, and so he was willing to wait for God's timing. In our world today we have all kinds of ways of speeding through life, from speed dating to get-rich-quick schemes. But let's take a lesson from David and learn to trust in the promises and the timing of God.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Mar 4, 2011
Topic: Christian Living/Situational
Patience Is Possible

Of all the things that try our patience, people are most likely to be at the top of our list. It's no wonder that Linus, from the Peanut carton strip, said, "I love humanity; it's people I can't stand."

Whether we're talking about work, church or home, it's people that most often cause our patience to wear thin. That's what led Ulrike Ruffert to say: "Patience is the ability to put up with people you'd like to put down." But before you allow your impatience to cause you to make an angry reply or hurtful comment, consider what the Bible has to say.

What Does God Say?

"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all" (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 NKJV).

* List the types of people that Paul acknowledges may try your patience.
* How should you respond to these people in addition to being patient?
* What does Paul instruct you to avoid?
* What are we to pursue?

My Thoughts

It's easy to justify impatience. You've warned this person before. You've told this individual at least 15 times how to do something. Your freedoms have been infringed upon once again by someone else's hang-ups. And you have a right to be impatient!

But look at how God has dealt with you. How many times have you done the same thing wrong? How many times has He helped you through another difficulty (many of which you have created yourself). Yet He continues to deal with you in a loving way.

Being patient isn't the same thing as being passive. Nor does patience mean that you do nothing when someone is out of line or has a special need. Patience is reflected not in what you do but how you do it. Even positive actions can be ruined if they are done in an impatient way

My Part

Who in your life pushes the impatience button? Bring that person before the Lord and ask what actions you should take. At the same time, ask for the Holy Spirit to produce in you a patience that will help you take action in a way that will be good for you and for everyone else involved in the situation.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Mar 7, 2011
Topic: Christian Living/Situational, Obedience/Discipleship, Faith/Trust
All About Abiding

"Abide in Christ": It's one of those classic Christian phrases we like to toss around to explain how to live as a believer. But what does it mean for us in practical terms? In His parable of the Vine, Jesus shows us what it means to "abide."

What Does God Say?

During His last teaching session with His disciples, Jesus talked about abiding in Him. In John 15, Jesus says He is the vine and God the Father is the vinedresser or caretaker of the vine. Then, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5, ESV).

Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. He is the core, the source, the root that feeds us, connects us, and helps us grow to fruitfulness. Without Him, we're just dried-up twigs. Abiding means we're connected to His life. John 15:4 underscores this, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me" (ESV).

The root meaning of abide is "to dwell" or "to take up residence." It has a sense of moving in and settling down--you're at home. And with Jesus, it works both ways: We take up residence in Him and He lives in us. As branches on the vine, we need Him to live in us, to pour His life through us. Without Him, we can do nothing. It's that connection at the core that brings us life and fruitfulness.

My Thoughts

Go back and read through John 15:1-11.

* What is the Father looking for from us as the branches of the vine (15:2-4)?
* What happens to those who do not abide (15:2,6)?
* What's the blessing for those who do stay connected to the vine (15:5-7)?
* How do we prove we're disciples (15:8 )?
* How does love fuel this "abiding" (15:9-10)?
* How does Jesus demonstrate abiding (15:9-10)?

My Part

There's a lot of good stuff that comes with abiding: love, growth, fruitfulness, answered prayer, glory for God. But it's the daily-ness of abiding that we stumble over. We often let the cares and busyness of life crowd out our connection with Jesus.

Would you say Jesus is "at home" in your life? Or do you treat Him like someone who just drops by once in awhile? Do you find yourself thinking that you just have to "go it alone" most of the time? Or are you drawing on all the strength and hope and purpose He offers? Do you find your life and joy in Him? Is it a matter of love?

The best way to stay connected or plugged into Jesus is through the Word of God. The Bible offers all the words of life we need; it's how we see, listen and learn from Jesus. It's how we know that God loves us and how we can respond to Him in love as well. When you make daily connecting with Jesus your focus, you're on your way to a fruitful life of abiding.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Mar 8, 2011
Topic: Jesus, Christian Living/Situational
Friend of Jesus

Have you ever had someone dislike you because of something you've said or done? Most of us have experienced that. Have you ever had someone dislike you because of one of your friends? If you're a Christian, that has happened--or will happen someday. Why? Jesus explains.

What Does God Say?

"'I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name'" (John 15:15-16, NLT).

Jesus reminds us that as Christ-followers we are not just His servants, but we are His friends. Being a friend of Jesus is one of the privileges of being a Christian. But Jesus makes a prediction for His friends.

"The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you" (John 15:19, NLT).

* What kind of prediction did Jesus make for His friends?
* According to these verses, why will the world hate you?

Read the following verses and answer the questions.

Matthew 12:14

1. Why did the Pharisees call a meeting in Matthew 12?

Luke 4:28-30

1. Who was furious with Jesus in Luke 4:28-30?
2. What did they do to Jesus?
3. What did they intend to do?
4. How did Jesus get away?

John 8:57-59

1. Who was upset with Jesus in these verses?
2. What did they use to express their anger?
3. How did Jesus get away?

After reading the above verses, what do you learn about the relationships Jesus had with others (especially the religious leaders) during the last three years of His life?

My Thoughts

Do you understand why as a Christ-follower you will be disliked or hated even though you have done nothing to deserve it?

Dr. Woodrow Kroll, Bible Teacher, clarifies: "When you live a life that pleases the Lord, you are a problem to people who don't please the Lord. So, is it any wonder, then, that the world hates you? When I say to you, 'Have a good and godly day,' I am saying to you, 'You do that, and you're going to be hated because of it.' Why? Because the world doesn't know God."

Randomly scribble any words that express how you feel when you consider that you will be hated and perhaps even persecuted someday because of your faith.

If "fear" or a similar emotion is on your list, take your list before God and tell Him how you feel. Then think about this.

* How does Jesus expect you to respond to hostility and perhaps even persecution? (Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:14).
* Who will give you the strength to respond appropriately? (Ephesians 3:16).

My Part

Are you a friend of Jesus? If so, you can expect some people to have a very negative reaction to you.

Ask the Lord to strengthen you by the power of the Holy Spirit and to give you the character of Christ, in particular His courage and compassion. See Acts 6 and 7 for Stephen's example.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Mar 9, 2011
Topic: Salvation
Salvation Is a Gift

We'll be looking for a few weeks at what the Bible has to say about salvation and rewards. The Bible clearly speaks of a day when all believers will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and receive eternal rewards from the hand of God.

But let's make one thing clear here at the beginning: Salvation is not one of those rewards. Salvation is the free gift of God. It can be accepted or rejected, but it can never be earned. And it can never be lost once it is obtained.

Let's look at what the Bible says.

What Does God Say?

There are few verses in the Bible that put it more clearly than this: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23, ESV).

Salvation is a gift because sin is too big a problem for you or me to handle. Sin, left to run its course, would separate us from God forever. But God's plan is to save mankind, and He provided that salvation through His Son, Jesus. Jesus shed His blood and died specifically to bring about the salvation of mankind.

God knows that we can do nothing to earn our salvation, so He offers it as a gift. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV).

If you haven't accepted the gift of salvation yet, why not do it today? You will never be more ready than you are right now.

My Thoughts

As you read Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8-9, think about the following questions:

1. Why do some people hesitate to accept God's gift?

2. How would you respond to someone who says, "I'm not good enough to be saved"?

My Part

This has been only a brief explanation of salvation. But we've prepared the online guide "Meet Jesus" to help answer any other questions you may have. The page also includes a section that enables you to contact us, so you can send any comments or tell us about your decision to receive God's free gift of salvation. We'd love to hear from you.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Mar 10, 2011
Topic: Salvation
Salvation Depends on Christ

What do you need to do to obtain eternal salvation? How can you be certain that you are pleasing God, or pleasing Him enough that He will be happy with you and let you into heaven?

If being sincere about your religion will save you, how can you know that you are sincere enough? How many times do you need to repent and ask God's forgiveness in order to be sure of eternal life? Will God give you a second chance if you blow it here?

What religion pleases God the most, or is He pleased with them all? If you attend church regularly, what other special things do you have to do in order to keep your salvation?

Many people voice concerns and questions that stem from the same mistaken idea: The belief that their salvation somehow depends on human effort and that God is looking at their performance in order to determine whether He will let them into heaven or not. They simply cannot fathom that God has a totally different way and is not impressed at all with human performance when it comes to the matter of salvation.

Let's look at what God has to say about it.

What Does God Say?

God's heavenly home is for people of all ages, from all nations, languages and races. People from earth who may have been healthy or sick, rich or deprived, educated or illiterate--those from every walk of life will be there.

But trusting in one's own good works will get no one there!

Read Hebrews 11:6.

What is essential in order to please God?

Read Acts 13:37-39, where the apostle Paul speaks of Jesus' Resurrection.

* What did Paul proclaim?
* What does he say a person must do to be set free?
* What will not free a person from sin?

Read Ephesians 2:8-9.

* What is the source of salvation?
* How is it received?
* What is not the way to get salvation?

Now, read the next verse, Ephesians 2:10.

* Whose workmanship is the Christian?
* What does God expect from Christians?
* What difference do you see in the "works" of Ephesians 2:9 and the "good works" of verse 10?

Salvation and ultimately a home in heaven totally rests on the saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. The difference between Christianity and every religious scheme in the world is that man-made religions teach works to obtain salvation, but God freely offers salvation by faith in the person of Christ, which, when received, results in useful service for God. Eternal life depends on the work of Christ alone; the believer's eternal rewards, however, depend on his or her faithfulness to Christ.

My Thoughts

Titus 3:4-7 (ESV) declares, "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

* How does God not save us?
* How does He save us? (Note: "the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit" is not "water baptism" plus the work of the Holy Spirit. It means the one act of the Holy Spirit using the cleansing Word of God to give you a new birth when you receive Christ as your Savior).

My Part

Read Romans 3:19-31 and note Paul's argument for salvation by faith in Christ versus man's attempts to be saved by legalistic works.

Memorize Ephesians 2:8-9 from your own Bible.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Mar 11, 2011
Topic: Salvation, Evangelism
The Best Gift

If you could give one gift to the whole world, what would it be? Peace? Liberty? Health? Food? Wealth? Happiness? Education? Wisdom?

The Bible says there is a gift greater than any of those. And it tells you what that gift is, how valuable that gift is, what motivated God to give it to you and how you can receive it.

What Does God Say?

First let's see what the gift is: God's salvation through Jesus.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8, ESV).

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24, ESV).

1. The scripture from Ephesians tells us that we are "saved through faith."
2. How do we receive this salvation? How are we "justified by His [God's] grace"?

Second, let's see how valuable this gift of salvation is:

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Mark 8:36, NKJV).

"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27, NKJV).

1. Rate the importance God's Word places on this gift? Compare it to peace, liberty, wealth, happiness. How enduring are those gifts compared to salvation?
2. What does the coming judgment have to do with the gift of salvation?
3. What importance do you place on your soul's eternal destination? How often do you think about it?
4. How can you lose your own soul?
5. How are you preparing for the coming judgment?

Third, the Bible tells us what motivated God to give such a gift: His love for you and me.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, ESV).

"This is real love--not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10, NLT).

Read Genesis 3:7-21 and answer these questions:

1. How soon after Adam and Eve sinned did God come up with a plan to send the Promised Seed (His Son) to redeem them?
2. When they realized they were naked, Adam and Eve made loincloths for themselves. But who does Genesis 3:21 tell us made clothes for them?

My Thoughts

If you haven't received God's great gift, here's how to do it:

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scripture tells us, 'Anyone who believes in Him will not be disgraced.' Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on Him. For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved" (Romans 10:9-13, NLT).

My Part

How does this great gift from God and knowing how much He loves you make you feel?

Want more information or have any questions? Visit the "Meet Jesus" page or email us at info@bibleminute.org .

Daily Bible Study

Date: Mar 14, 2011
Topic: Jesus, Salvation, God's Love
Always a Gift

Is it hard for you to believe a gift is a gift? That a "free gift" doesn't always have strings attached? Thanks to marketing gimmicks, you and I are accustomed to clever strategies that promise a "gift" if we try a product, listen to a sales pitch or spend our money first.

God doesn't use those marketing strategies. When He offers you a gift, namely the gift of salvation, there's no hidden agenda. You don't have to rack up bonus points, buy something else first or do anything to work your way into the gift.

What Does God Say?

If you're not sure about that, look at Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (ESV). Salvation comes by grace -- God's grace -- and it's a gift -- from God. You didn't do it; you didn't work for it or earn it; in fact, it's impossible for you to earn it.

Titus 3:5-6 adds, "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior" (ESV). That "He" is God. And this gift comes to you by His mercy through Jesus Christ the Savior.

Both passages not only point out that salvation is a gift, but they also underscore that we do nothing to earn it. That's what makes it a gift.

My Thoughts

The gift of salvation comes through Jesus Christ. It's always through Jesus, no one and nothing else. Look up these passages to see some of His reasons.

Romans 5:8-9; 1 John 4:9-10
Ephesians 2:4-8; Titus 2:11
Titus 3:4-6; 1 Peter 1:3

* What motivated God to give us this gift?
* What else comes with it?
* What is your part in the process?
* What are some other things you learn about God's gift of salvation from these verses?

My Part

So, how do you get this gift of salvation? You have to do something to open a gift, right? It's much the same with salvation. The gift is there. You decide whether to unwrap or accept it. You accept the gift when you "believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31, ESV).

The only one who did any "work" for your salvation was Jesus Christ. He died on the cross and then was raised from the dead, taking care of your sin and conquering the stranglehold of death. When you believe in Him as your Savior and the only One who can make things right between you and God, then you've accepted this amazing gift. That's it. All you have to do today is ask.

If you'd like to know more, please click on the "Meet Jesus" section here on Bible Minute.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Mar 15, 2011
Topic: Salvation
Covering All the Bases

Ever heard the expression "cover all the bases"? It originated in the game of baseball. It meant that no matter which base an opposing team member was speeding toward, a member of the opposite team would be there to tag him out.

While that's still true in baseball, it has also come to mean that every part of a job, project or event has been handled, that every possibility has been considered and planned for.

That's true of our salvation. The Bible says that our salvation encompasses the past, the present and the future. God the Father through Jesus Christ, His Son, has all the bases covered. Let's see how that works.

What Does God Say?

The Past:

* According to Ephesians 2:1-3, what was our past like?
* Read 1 Peter 2:24. What did Christ do about this?

The Present:

* Read Romans 6:14. What is Christ doing for you today?
* Describe how this came about according to Romans 6:5-7.

The Future:

* According to Romans 8:23-25, what is one thing that the future holds?
* What else does the future hold? (Read 1 Corinthians 15:52-54.)

My Thoughts

You may wonder, Why do I need to be concerned about my sin, anyway? Here is what someone said in answer to that question:

Because any sin torments (Isaiah 48:22)
Because any sin separates you from God (Isaiah 59:2)
Because any sin enslaves you (John 8:34)
Because any sin ends in death (Romans 6:23)
And because all have sinned (Romans 3:23)

My Part

It's evident that God has "all the bases covered" when it comes to your salvation. But what can you do? What's your part? The key is to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior. The apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:2, "Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

You'll discover more about God's way of salvation by clicking on the "Meet Jesus" link.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Mar 16, 2011
Topic: Service/Servanthood, Salvation
After Salvation, Now What...?

So, you're saved, now what? What are you supposed to do after salvation? Sit back and take it easy while you wait for heaven? Or is there something more?

There's a lot more for you to do. Salvation is just the beginning of your life as a child of God.

What Does God Say?

In Ephesians 2:8-9, we learn about the gift of our salvation: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (ESV). But you need to read Ephesians 2:10 as well: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (ESV).

Salvation is a gift; you can't work for it or earn it. But once you're saved, it's time to get to work. Through Christ, we are a new creation and we have a purpose: to do the "good works" God prepared for us. Salvation leads to service.

And acceptable service, doing these good works and walking in righteousness before God, brings an eternal reward. In Colossians 3:23-24, we're urged, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ" (ESV).

My Thoughts

James 2:14-24 has a lot to say about how and why we do good works.

* What are some of the good works God created us to do?
* How do your works show your faith in God?

So, what are these good works? You'll find them scattered throughout God's instructions to His believing children. For a sampling, read the following passages and jot down the good works that God wants to see in your life.

Romans 12:9-21
Ephesians 4:22-5:6
Colossians 3:1-17

This is not an exhaustive list. Do your own search with a concordance on such words as "obedience," "faith," and "good works" and see what you learn about serving the Lord.

My Part

What are some good works you need to do? Make a list from the passages you've read and look over your life with those in mind. What opportunities do you have to serve Him? To live a holier life? To make right choices?

Ask the Lord to help you do the things He's set before you, to be alert to ways you can grow in your good works. Then get started. Take the next step and get serving.